REDWOOD Reviews- Page 3

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/17/25 at 12:32am

WiCkEDrOcKS said: "jimmycurry01 said: "WiCkEDrOcKS said: ""She does not have the power to return an investment on name alone" and "Certainly, she does not sell tickets" are two completely different statements.
"

Rather than arguing about something without offering any evidence, let's take a look at the actual data. If/Then had several very lean months in its year-long run. Ultimately, Idina Menzel didnot have the ticket selling power that many here think she did.

Now, her popularity has since grown, thanks in part to Frozen, but has it grown enough to sustain another show with mixed reviews? Time will tell. In any case, when we analyze the actual data from If/Then, it seems silly to use that specific data to suggest she can sell tickets.



Ok, here’s my final word on this:

“Certainly, she does not sell tickets” is a theory completely debunked by the graph you just provided. IF/THEN was a financial flop at the end of the day, to be sure. But you think a show about a woman having a mid-life crisis came even remotely close to cracking $1M a week during previews because of the subject matter? The large majority of ticket buyersboughttickets to that show FOR Idina, period.

Same for REDWOOD. People aren’t buying tickets to see the tree.

The “she can’t return investments” argument is a completely different statement and one that has a sound argument, based off of IF/THEN and (so far) REDWOOD’s steady decline in sales.

I’m not saying she can do the latter, but she can certainly do the former andmove a substantial amount of tickets based on her name. The woman isn’t (successfully) touring regularly for nothing."

Yes, love. Now run and tell the investors they will lose all their money, but it doesn't matter because she "moves" tickets and tours in Nowhere, Alabama.

Her name alone doesn't mean much in these mediocre shows. A true A lister would sell out any show, regardless of the quality. Menzel is a Cer at best.

[dan94]

Posted: 2/17/25 at 12:51am

The missing piece in this convo about if she can sell tickets/will Redwood recoup - Idina is a lead producer on this show. She very well could take on a flexible pay rate to get investors their money back. Doesn't mean it will recoup, but that reason combined with her increased profile, I think outlook is more positive than If/Then.

[mridley2]

Posted: 2/17/25 at 11:56pm

"Certainly, she does not sell tickets."

Literally this is true. I have never seen Idina behind the box office window at the Nederlander. Maybe one day... 

I did hear that she was at the read for Ali if they needed her over at Tommy. I believe her ghost still lives upstairs collecting Rent royalty checks.

 

 

[binau]

Posted: 2/18/25 at 2:57am

It just feels this is an argument over semantics. It is undoubtedly true that Idina's name does not mean a show recoups by default, but it is also undoubtedly true that Idina's name sells tickets, which is reflected in exactly the If/Then graph despite it meant to be used to argue something different. 
 

If we want to argue that 'selling tickets' = recouping I'd argue that's a VERY high bar to meet, which almost no one does except genuine A list celebrities. If this is the bar, you could easily argue that Patti LuPone doesn't sell tickets, Bernadette Peters doesn't sell tickets, hell even Audra McDonald often doesn't sell tickets. It just feels that the bar is too high - because clearly there is something more going on here compared with people who literally don't sell any tickets, such as the vast majority of unknown Broadway performers. 

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/18/25 at 8:01am

binau said: "It just feels this is an argument over semantics. It is undoubtedly true that Idina's name does not mean a show recoups by default, but it is alsoundoubtedly true that Idina's name sells tickets, which is reflected in exactly the If/Then graph despite it meant to be used to argue something different.


If we want to argue that 'selling tickets' = recouping I'd argue that's a VERY high bar to meet, which almost no one does except genuine A list celebrities. If this is the bar, you could easily argue that Patti LuPone doesn't sell tickets, Bernadette Peters doesn't sell tickets, hell even Audra McDonald often doesn't sell tickets. It just feels that the bar is too high - because clearly there is something more going on here compared with people who literally don't sell any tickets, such as the vast majority of unknown Broadway performers."

Exactly. 

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 2/18/25 at 8:38am

Lol blaxx is trolling so hard, I’m not sure why people are entertaining this conversation.

 

Idina Menzel is a Broadway legend and she sells tons of tickets.

 

She is—OBVIOUSLY—not an A lister. She’s not Denzel Washington or George Clooney or Robert Downey Jr. Like—no KIDDING, LOL. She’s basically been in one successful movie franchise and her voice is associated with it more than her face. The rest of her fame really just has to do with the fact that she’s that big of a theater star that the general public has awareness of her: much like Patti, Audra, Bernadette, etc.

 

What is this purpose of this argument? Idina Menzel undeniably sells tickets—and lots of them. A show she’s in recouping has to do with the show’s running costs and capitalization *relative to the amount of tickets she sells* along with how the show itself holds up with critics/word of mouth.

Remember—If/Then ran a whole YEAR. Do we really think that show would have lasted even a couple of months without her? 

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 2/18/25 at 2:05pm

Woman has tragedy, Woman meets tree. Woman names tree and talks to tree. Woman sleeps with tree, there is a Forest Fire, (too soon).  Woman yells at fires, Womans troubles are gone. 

Oh yeah Woman dances with tree.

I was pretty bored but just being in a live Theatre with Idina's voice is pretty amazing. I could never sing like that (duh)but hanging upside down  and singing  like that???? c'mon. 

 

 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/18/25 at 2:23pm

mridley2 said: "
"Certainly, she does not sell tickets."

Literally this is true. I have never seen Idina behind the box office window at the Nederlander. Maybe one day..."

Actually I met her on the street once and she sold me counterfeit tickets to the wicked movie. She refused to give me my money back and called me a sucker. Talk about a diva.

Anyway, the standby for Michael Park supposedly got injured during a put-in rehearsal and will likely be out of the show for 6-9 months. Poor guy.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 2/18/25 at 2:27pm

Call_me_jorge said: "mridley2 said: "
"Certainly, she does not sell tickets."

Literally this is true. I have never seen Idina behind the box office window at the Nederlander. Maybe one day..."

Actually I met her on the street once and she sold me counterfeit tickets to the wicked movie. She refused to give me my money back and called me a sucker. Talk about a diva.

Anyway, the standby for Michael Park supposedly got injured during a put-in rehearsal and will likely be out of the show for 6-9 months. Poor guy."

That might have CHESS ramifications as well, but Bradley can easily be recast assuming it’s going forward. 

Updated On: 2/18/25 at 02:27 PM

[ashley0139]

Posted: 2/18/25 at 3:54pm

Well I can certainly say that idina (literally) sold my ticket. Doubt I would have seen this without her. It was an enjoyable night at the theatre. A bit repetitive -“let me climb a tree!” “No” convince them to say yes, etc. but I thought it was an ambitious concept that didn’t quite work. But I like seeing original musicals in the year of our juke box and bio pic musical year of our lord 2025. 

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/20/25 at 5:56am

binau said: "It just feels this is an argument over semantics. It is undoubtedly true that Idina's name does not mean a show recoups by default, but it is alsoundoubtedly true that Idina's name sells tickets, which is reflected in exactly the If/Then graph despite it meant to be used to argue something different.


If we want to argue that 'selling tickets' = recouping I'd argue that's a VERY high bar to meet, which almost no one does except genuine A list celebrities. If this is the bar, you could easily argue that Patti LuPone doesn't sell tickets, Bernadette Peters doesn't sell tickets, hell even Audra McDonald often doesn't sell tickets. It just feels that the bar is too high - because clearly there is something more going on here compared with people who literally don't sell any tickets, such as the vast majority of unknown Broadway performers."

My point is that, if you want a Menzel show to be a hit, the material also needs to be very good. 

They seem to give her any mediocre show to go back to Broadway  and it doesnt help her case. 

[steven22]

Posted: 2/20/25 at 8:04am

As a big Idina fan, I was sold by her name alone. I’m going tonight with no knowledge of what goes on in this show. Looking forward to it. Maybe I’ll like it? I adored If/Then with and without Idina (Jackie and Jenn were both incredible as Elizabeth). 

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 2/20/25 at 9:51am

"The rest of her fame really just has to do with the fact that she’s that big of a theater star that the general public has awareness of her: much like Patti, Audra, Bernadette, etc."

She also got a lot of fame the night John Travolta made fool of himself mispronouncing her name at the 2014 Oscars -lol. Just teasing.

[MezzoDiva47]

Posted: 2/20/25 at 10:42am

reality check for the delusional ppl on here

menzels name does sell some tickets

but in no way guarantees a hit show

and making her name the same size font as the musicals title wont change that

if-then aggressively marketed her as the main reason to come see that show

since there wasnt much else to market

while it has some artistic merit the show is financially considered a flop

you can bet that redwood will splash every single drip of that positive NYT review outside the nederlander

overwhelmingly to the point that the average theatre goer will just assume that every other review was positive

but it wont save this dud of a show

jesse green is an arrogant critic who thinks his reviews actually mean something

but critics dont have the sway they once did

contrary to rachel chavkins desperate need to find a diverting villain to blame

a jesse green NYT rave of lempicka would not have saved that disastrous show

which coincidentally also featured a lead actress who could no longer vocally handle 8 performances a week

the discerning ticket-buying public is who determines the success of a show these days

they arent fooled by the elites telling them what they are supposed to like

if that were the case then just based on the reviews alone ‘the heart of rock and roll’ would have been last seasons juggernaut

time to face the music

redwood is dead wood

 

MezzoDiva47 has spoken

bow down accordingly

 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/20/25 at 1:32pm

Call_me_jorge said: "mridley2 said: "
"Certainly, she does not sell tickets."

Literally this is true. I have never seen Idina behind the box office window at the Nederlander. Maybe one day..."

Actually I met her on the street once and she sold me counterfeit tickets to the wicked movie. She refused to give me my money back and called me a sucker. Talk about a diva.

Anyway, the standby for Michael Park supposedly got injured during a put-in rehearsal and will likely be out of the show for 6-9 months. Poor guy."

They better pray Park doesn't get sick or injured until they get another standby hired and rehearsed.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 2/20/25 at 1:56pm

MezzoDiva47 said: "
reality check for the delusional ppl on here

menzels name does sell some tickets

but in no way guarantees a hit show

and making her name the same size font as the musicals title wont change that

if-then aggressively marketed her as the main reason to come see that show

since there wasnt much else to market

while it has some artistic merit the show is financially considered a flop

you can bet that redwood will splash every single drip of thatpositive NYT review outside the nederlander

overwhelmingly to the point that the average theatre goer will just assume that every other review was positive

but it wont save this dud of a show

jesse green is an arrogant critic who thinks his reviews actually mean something

but critics dont have the sway they once did

contrary to rachel chavkins desperate need to find a diverting villain to blame

a jesse green NYT rave of lempicka would not have saved that disastrous show

which coincidentally also featured a lead actress who could no longervocally handle 8 performancesa week

the discerning ticket-buying public is who determines the success of a show these days

they arent fooled by the elites telling them what they are supposed to like

if that were the case then just based on the reviews alone ‘the heart of rock and roll’ would have been last seasons juggernaut

time to face the music

redwood is dead wood



MezzoDiva47 has spoken

bow down accordingly

"

This entire “bow down” thing is obnoxious. Grow up, get over yourself, spare us.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 2/20/25 at 2:00pm

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 2/20/25 at 2:15pm

iluvtheatertrash said: "
This entire “bow down” thing is obnoxious. Grow up, get over yourself, spareus."

They know. They've been called on it numerous times. They clearly don't care. Best to just block them. Nothing will be missed.

[binau]

Posted: 2/21/25 at 3:27am

Is it me or has the full studio recording of "Great Escape" that was once on YouTube now missing? 

[steven22]

Posted: 2/21/25 at 11:35am

I saw the show last night and I’m not sure if it was because I went in with low expectations, or Idina can do no wrong in my eyes, but I enjoyed the show. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. But it was enjoyable and Idina is giving a great performance (shoutout to Khalia Wilcoxin, what a voice!). 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 2/21/25 at 1:31pm

binau said: "Is it me or has the full studio recording of "Great Escape" that was once on YouTube now missing?"

It’s still up on the show’s website.

[MezzA101]

Posted: 2/24/25 at 8:33pm

Making Dancers Fly, Hooked to a Tree or Soaring Off a Cliff

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/24/arts/dance/bandaloop-redwood-vertical-choreography.html?unlocked_article_code=1.zk4.YEg2.NhFMKZxs3eKG

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 2/25/25 at 9:31am

She also got a lot of fame the night John Travolta made fool of himself mispronouncing her name at the 2014 Oscars -lol. Just teasing.

 

[Rakstovall]

Posted: 2/26/25 at 8:38pm

steven22 said: "I saw the show last night and I’m not sure if it was because I went in with low expectations, or Idina can do no wrong in my eyes, but I enjoyed the show. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. But it was enjoyable and Idina is giving a great performance (shoutout to Khalia Wilcoxin, what a voice!)."

Agree wholeheartedly with everything in this review. Went in with low expectations for the show other than that I would gladly watch Idina sing the phone book, so just seeing her do her thing would be enough for me. We actually enjoyed it. It’s an Idina belting vehicle, so diehard fans like me will be pleased enough with that. Beyond that, there are some pretty cool production aspects happening with the tree climbing, and her song where she sings completely in the air (and upside down at one point) was impressive. Khaila Wilcoxon is phenomenal, it’s too bad her part isn’t meatier but I expect we’ll be seeing more of her. As this other reviewer said, it’s far from perfect and there’s at least 10 min I think they could have easily cut. Some aspects work better than others. But I will always give kudos to people trying to do an original musical when so many these days are jukebox, biopic, or adapted from movies. Beyond that, its themes of grief can hit the viewer differently depending on their own experiences, and having gone through a great loss recently of someone close to us, we were suckers for the ending and found myself tearing up. I could imagine if you weren’t ripe for those themes to hit then it could come off somewhat cliche. All in all, I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would and I’d encourage avid Broadway goers to at least see it. I’ve definitely seen worse, both this season and last. At the very least it’s something different, and a chance to see Idina is always great in my book. 

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 2/26/25 at 8:46pm

Did someone get hurt or not?